Auburn running back Damari Alston ruled out indefinitely following shoulder injury
AUBURN — Damari Alston is the latest Auburn football player to join the list of the injured reserve.
The sophomore running back suffered an injured right shoulder in the first half of the loss at Texas A&M and never returned. Alston underwent a MRI on Sunday morning after the team’s return to campus and was ruled out indefinitely.
“Damari will miss a period of time for sure,” Hugh Freeze said on Monday.
Alston joins Austin Keys and Keionte Scott as starters that have already suffered injuries that are keeping them off the field indefinitely.
Alston has 26 carries for 131 yards and one touchdown on the season. The Tigers host No. 1 Georgia this Saturday, then enter into a bye week before a trip to LSU in three weeks.
Taking away Payton Thorne and Holden Geriner‘s negative rushing numbers (mostly due to sacks), the Auburn rushing attack produced 181 yards on 29 carries against Texas A&M.
During fall camp in August, Alston talked about his season goals after being named a member of the team’s Culture Council in the offseason.
“My mentality coming into this next season was this: The offseason, I have to be different if I’m going to reach my goals,” Alston said. “I have to do things that other people aren’t doing. I have to take the next step. I’m doing what’s required, but I’m doing extra. That’s how I role. I have to be different. That’s how I approach this offseason.
““I want to have a good rushing season. My goal is 1,000 yards. I want to do well in the receiving game as well. I want to do anything I can do to take the team to a SEC Championship, and I want to win big games so we can bring Auburn to how it was.”
Without Alston, transfer Brian Battie shined with 84 total yards on 10 touches against the Aggies. Expect Battie and freshman Jeremiah Cobb to pick up the slack from Alston’s absence, with Jarquez Hunter remaining RB1 in the rotation.
